2 There are three types or classes of “boot” verbs.There is a fairly large group of verbs in Spanish that undergo changes in their stem when conjugated in the present tense. These changes occur only in the first and second persons singular and third persons singular and plural.When a line is drawn around the forms that change, the resulting shape vaguely resembles a boot or high-top shoe; thus, these verbs are sometimes informally called “boot” or “shoe” verbs.There are three types or classes of “boot” verbs.

3 Type 1: e  ie entender entiendo entiendes entiende entendemosWe’ll use entender, to understand, as an example of this type.entenderentiendoentiendesentiendeentendemosentendéisentiendenThe stem undergoes the change only when stressed.

5 tener, venir tengo tienes tiene tenemos tenéis tienen vengo vienesThe verbs tener and venir are what might be called partial stem-changing verbs; the yo forms do not have the stem change, but they do have an irregularity.tengotienestienetenemostenéistienenTengo exámenes mañana.I have exams tomorrow.vengovienesvienevenimosvenísvienenVengo de la biblioteca.I’m coming from the library.

6 Type 2: e  i servir sirvo sirves sirve servimos servís sirvenWe’ll use servir, to serve, as an example of this type.servirsirvosirvessirveservimosservíssirvenNote: All e  i verbs are -ir verbs.

7 Here are some other common e  i verbs:medirto measure, to be a certain heightpedirto ask for, to requestrepetirto repeat, to have a second helpingteñirto dye, to color

8 We’ll use almorzar, to have lunch, as an example of this type.Type 3: o  ueWe’ll use almorzar, to have lunch, as an example of this type.almorzaralmuerzoalmuerzasalmuerzaalmorzamosalmorzáisalmuerzan

10 *Costar is normally used only in the third persons.Here are some other common o  ue verbs:costar*to costdormirto sleepencontrarto findpoderto be able; canrecordarto remembersoñar (con)to dream (about)volverto return, to come back*Costar is normally used only in the third persons.

11 The verbs querer and preferirExpressing desires and preferencesQuerer and preferir are important stem-changing verbs that have multiple uses.

12 When used with a thing as the direct object, querer means to want.quieroquieresquierequeremosqueréisquierenWhen used with a thing as the direct object, querer means to want.

18 Both querer and preferir can be used with an infinitive directly after themWe start with an appropriate person and number of querer or preferir . . .and then add any infinitive.estudiarestudiarleerquieroqueremosescribircomerquieresqueréisviajaraprenderquierequierenbailardormirRafael quiere esquiar, pero su novia prefiere patinar.Rafael wants to ski, but his girlfriend prefers to skate.

19 The verb pensar is another very useful stem-changing verb.Thinking and planningThe verb pensar is another very useful stem-changing verb.piensopiensaspiensapensamospensáispiensan

22 Pensar de means “to think of” (to have an opinion about.)Thinking and planningPensar de means “to think of” (to have an opinion about.)¿Qué piensas de las novelas de Márquez?What do you think of Márquez’s novels?Pensar que means “to think that” (in answer to the above question, for example.)Yo pienso que sus novelas son maravillosas.I think that his novels are wonderful.

23 Pensar also has a special use . . .Thinking and planningPensar also has a special use . . .+=pensarinfinitiveto plan to do somethingPensamos escuchar música en el parque esta tarde.We’re planning to listen to music in the park this afternoon.